Device for controlling the wetness of steam



1933- R. A. CONLEY EFAL 23,422

DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING THEtWETNESS OF STEAM Filed March 25, 1932 Patented Aug. 22, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING THE WETNESS OF STEAM Application March 25, 1932. Serial No. 601,150

4 Claims.

Our invention relates to steam cleaning apparatus and is particularly designed to be used in connection with the steam pressing machines, although it may have many other uses where it is required thatboth dry steam and wet steam are to be used and where it is necessary or desirable to change from one to the other'with a minimum of efiort and inconvenience.

In cleaning and pressing certain fabrics, particularly velvets, it is necessary that wet steam m be used in order to properly clean and press the same and it is highly desirable that it be available in connection with the pressing machine and without the addition of a lot of additional equipment.

It is an object of our invention to provide a simple, practical and compact device, which can be made as an attachment for the present steam pressing machines, and which will enable the operator to use either dry or wet steam at will and with no delay or inconvenience.

In order to explain our invention, we have illustrated the same on the accompanying sheet of drawing, which we will now describe.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a device embodying our invention, parts of a steam pressing machine being indicated in light broken lines.

In the drawing, 2 designates a reservoir, to which is connected a steam pipe 3, from the steam generating plant of the pressing machine, and

0 which supplies dry steam into the reservoir. Connected with the lower end of said reservoir 2, is a drain pipe 4, which is extended up into said reservoir substantially as indicated, whereby to provide in the lower part of said reservoir a water 3 chamber adapted to overflow in said drain pipe 4. It will be understood that this results from condensation and serves to supply the necessary amount of water for use as needed, to be mixed with the steam as desired.

From the upper end of said reservoir leads a steam pipe 5, with valve 6, pipe 7, connecting at its lower end with a fitting 8, connected at one end with the lower end of said reservoir, 2, with a valve 9, interposed therebetween, substantially as illustrated. Connected to the other end of said T- fitting 8, is a hose 10, having at its end a nozzle 11, with handle 12 for holding the same without burning the operator.

Within the T-fitting 8, the connection with the valve 9, is closed at 9, and a small jet tube 13 is inserted therein and extended to the opposite end of said T-fitting and slightly into the hose connection, as at 13, whereby, when said valve 9 is opened, water from the lower end of said reservoir will be forced out by the pressure within said reservoir and discharged through the restricted outlet in said tube into said hose,

it being understood that the valve 6 above is open and that dry steam is being forced out from the upper end of said reservoir and down through the pipe '1, around said jet tube and into said hose. This supplies the water from condensation to be mixed with the steam as it comes from the upper end of said reservoir. By closing said valve 9, it will be understood, of course, that the dry steam only will be supplied to the hose l0 and the nozzle 11.

We have indicated in light broken lines fragmentary portions of the usual pressing machine, which are designated 14 and 15, and are on a 79 smaller scale than the apparatus described.

Thus it will be seen that with the attachment of the reservoir 2, the condensation chamber with its valve-controlled connection to the lower end of the dry steam pipe and the hose, it is possible to have Wet steam for use at will.

While we have shown and described one practical embodiment of our invention, we are aware that changes in the details can be made without departing from the spirit thereof, and we do not 0 therefore, limit our invention to the showing made, except as we may be limited by the hereto appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a device of the character referred to, a body forming a reservoir, a steam supply pipe connected therewith, a steam outlet pipe from the top of said reservoir for steam, a water outlet pipe connected with the lower end of said reservoir for condensation, said water outlet pipe being connected to said steam outlet pipe with avalve interposed therebetween, and means for discharging said condensation into said steam outlet pipe for mixture therewith for producing wet steam.

2. In-a device of the character described, a vertical cylindrical member forming a reservoir for steam, means for discharging steam thereinto, a drain pipe extended up into said reservoir for overflow of water of condensation, an outlet pipe irom the top of 'said reservoir for steam, an outlet pipe for water from the lower part of said reservoir below the upper end of said drain pipe, said outlet pipe for steam being connected with said outlet pipe for water, a valve for closing each of said outlet pipes, and a jet discharge from said water pipe to said steam pipe for discharging water of condensation into the steam line when desired for the purpose described. 110

3. In a device of the character referred to, a. vertical reservoir for steam, means for discharging steam thereinto, a water pipe connected with the lower part of said reservoir for outlet of water of condensation, a steam outlet pipe from the upper end of said reservoir and extended down to said water outlet pipe, valves for said steam and water pipes, a hose connected to said pipes outside of said valve, whereby steam from the top of said reservoir, with or without water of condensation, can be discharged through said hose.

4. A device of the character shown and described and consisting of a vertical body forming a reservoir for steam, means for connecting a steam supply pipe for feeding steam to said reservoir, a drain pipe extending up into said reservoir and having its end open for overflow of the Water of condensation, an outlet pipe for steam connected with the upper end of said reservoir and extended down outside of said reservoir to the lower end thereof, a water outlet pipe from the lower end of said reservoir and connected with said steam pipe, means in the connection of said pipes for discharging water of condensation into said steam pipe, valves for said steam and water outlet pipes, and a hose connected with said steam and water pipes at their juncture and having a work nozzle on its free end. 4

RAY A. CONLEY. 9

CLAUDE JORDAN. 

